In Time And Memories

Chapter Fourteen

The crown prince's presence overpowered all of these nobles inside the banquet hall- What more when the emperor is with him.

Emperor and crown prince; the two highest positions in this empire. Both of them are striking a heavy aura that screams dominance and respect to every person bowing their heads right now. They are indeed the emperor and the crown prince.

I can't help but feel restless as the conversation of those women kept on repeating in my mind. If only I can escape this banquet.

"Greetings to the magisterial emperor and crown prince of the Meliean Empire," everybody said in unison. The emperor gestured his hand for us to raise our heads. I stood up properly and my eyes automatically went to search for the second prince.

Where is he?

"Tonight is so special to me and for my eldest son, the Crown Prince Urus Varzilion, as he celebrates his coming-of-age," the emperor started his speech.

The side of my lips twitched. "I hope everyone will have a great night and please, enjoy the banquet." It's rather a simple speech and there's nothing to expect from it. Just when are they going to announce his royal fiancèe so I can have my peace of mind?

This anxiousness is creeping inside me- It's an unpleasant feeling that I hated the most.

"Lady Laurenze! Look at you, so gorgeous as ever," a lady greeted me. I don't know her but her face seems familiar so I kept her company a bit. Besides, I can't see Tia.

As we are having a conversation, many of the guests went to me and have a good talk. Although, I don't know most of them but still, it's nice to have them.

My mind was occupied that I haven't thought of Celestia and my father- Not until I saw them together. I glanced at Celestia, who's standing beside my father like a decoration. Her dress is nice but mine is better.

"My Lady," someone called my attention. My lips automatically went up before I even turned my head to that person.

But that smile also vanished when I realized who is it. The jerk laughed at me heartily after he saw my reaction.

"Are you expecting someone? Your boyfriend, perhaps?" Xiel has that teasing tone laced in every word that he uttered. I stayed my gaze in front of me- Trying to ignore him but I noticed those girls who are gawking at the man beside me.

Xiel Arthoion is handsome with his light pink hair and a pair of bluish eyes; the signature feature of the Arthoion family.

As far as I can remember, he's a year older than his cousin. That means he had passed his coming-of-age ceremony.

I wonder if he has his fiancèe...

I turned my head to him. "Don't you have your fiancèe?" He almost blew his drink on me when he heard me ask that question. My lips gaped while watching him cough. I guess, I shouldn't have asked that question.

"Well..." He cleared his throat. "I have my eyes on someone but I'm too coward to ask her to be mine."

"Why?"

"I think she likes someone else."

Wow. Will you look at that? I never thought of him being a coward when it comes to the person he loves but who am I to judge, right? It only tells us that even if there are a lot of people who want you, that doesn't mean the person you want will want you too.

My gaze went to the star of this banquet. He's talking to some guests but his expression says that the conversation is uninteresting.

"Do you know who will be his highness' royal fiancèe?" It's back again; the anxious feeling.

"No. He didn't tell me," Xiel answered. I only let out a sigh.

I miss Pierre.

Where is he? Aren't they going to attend the banquet? Even the queen is not here even though she has to be since the emperor is here.

The banquet continued until late in the evening. I thought it was about to end but the emperor started his speech again but this time, it concerns the crown prince's royal fiancèe. My head feels heavy because of the uneasiness I'm feeling that I couldn't understand what the emperor is saying.

I'm alone right now, near the balcony. I haven't seen Xiel again after he excused himself. While, Celestia and my father are still having their own father-daughter time.

Not even a single word was uttered between the three of us. We're just in the same line of tables. It's even surprising that no one is asking me why I'm not with them.

"Lady Azelaine..."

A warm breath suddenly brushed on my neck, making me startled. But when I looked up and see who is it, my heart went faster than normal.

"My prince!" I can't believe that he's here!

"Why are you late? Where have you been?" I bombarded him with questions. He smiled at me and gave me a kiss on my forehead. My mouth gaped.

There's something wrong...

"My mother forbid me to go. You know how much she hates the crown prince." I already expected that. He told me about it one time but I didn't know the hatred of the queen towards the crown prince can object to the emperor's order.

"Then, how did you get here?"

"I used my ability." He showed me a cheeky smile. That's right. The second prince's ability is to produce his own clones. It's pretty handy but he rarely uses it.

The prince reached for my cheek and caressed it. It felt like I'm melting under his gaze.

"Lady Azelaine of house Laurenze."

I got back in reality when someone announced my name. Their piercing eyes suddenly went to us and with the sight of the second prince, they all greeted him.

I don't know what just happened but I'm suddenly standing in front of the emperor and the crown prince; lined up with the ladies from high noble families. My eyes started to shake while my mind is processing the current situation.

So, it's true that I'm really one of the candidates despite being the girlfriend of the second prince. There are whispers coming from the back- They're making my ears ring.

In any second, it feels like a thread is going to snap. I don't like this. Why am I here? I'm not supposed to stand before them as a candidate of a royal fiancèe.

The crown prince started to walk closer to us. Every step he takes feels like a year is being decreased in my lifespan. This feeling is so intense that I forgot how to properly breathe. I tried to close my eyes- Calming myself down when a familiar scent invaded my nostrils.

"Take a breath, My Lady." His deep voice rings to my ear.

My eyes went open wide. It felt like I'm going crazy especially when his hand went to mine and clasped it together.

No! No! No!

"Lady Azelaine Laurenze will be my wife." Urus Varzilion announced it loudly while intensely looking up at the emperor.

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